Why Goals Often Fails—and How to Build Habits That Stick

Have you ever worked on a leadership goal like improving your executive presence or a personal goal such as eating healthy? The usual advice on achieving goals is to “break your goals into smaller steps,” which sounds wise but may not work in such cases.

It assumes the task is linear, such as climbing stairs, where each step is identical, and you make linear progress with each step. We often assume it can be achieved through sheer willpower or pushing harder. But if we treat a habit such as an exercise regimen as linear, like putting on exercise clothes, going to the gym, and performing the exercise, we oversimplify the problem. We overlook the fact that we need to sustain the motivation over time.

Habit building requires much more than determination. Sustainable habits must be rooted in clarity of purpose and developed through thoughtful experimentation. If you’ve struggled to make real progress, here’s how to shift your approach.

1. Clarity: Define Your “Why”

Don’t chase goals simply because they’re trendy or widely encouraged. Align them with your authentic purpose to create lasting motivation.

Ask yourself:

• What will achieving this goal truly give me?
• Why is it important to me?

For instance, adopting healthy eating habits isn’t meaningful just because it’s popular. Instead, visualize how it will improve your energy so you can enjoy the activities that are important to you. Connecting your goal to a deeper “why” will build emotional investment and make it more likely to succeed.

2. Scope: Start Small with a Clear MVP

Every goal is a unique challenge, even if others make it look simple. Rather than trying to do everything at once, start with a minimum viable practice (MVP)—the smallest actionable step toward your goal.

If your goal is to eat healthier:

• Focus on one meal (e.g., breakfast) instead of overhauling your entire diet.
• Plan and prepare meals ahead of time to reduce last-minute decisions.
• Simplify grocery shopping by sticking to a core list of healthy staples.

By narrowing the scope, you avoid overwhelm and build momentum. This approach also boosts your confidence as you see tangible progress.

3. Embrace an Experimental Mindset

Lasting change isn’t about getting it perfect the first time—it’s about learning through iteration. Treat each step as an experiment:

1. Try a small change (e.g., committing to a morning walk if you’re working on physical activity).
2. Reflect on what worked or didn’t (e.g., did it fit into your routine? Did it feel enjoyable?).
3. Refine and repeat until the habit becomes second nature.

This mindset builds resilience and adaptability, making it easier to adjust your approach as needed while keeping your end goal in sight.

4. Identify the Blockers

Often, deeply ingrained habits or beliefs hold us back from making meaningful changes. For instance, the belief that “healthy food doesn’t taste as good” might discourage healthier eating, or competing priorities like “I should focus on work instead of meal prep” could derail your efforts.

By identifying these blockers, you can recognize them when they arise and make more intentional, aligned choices.

Habit Building Apply to Professional Growth, Too

While I’ve focused on examples of personal habits, the same principles apply equally to professional development. Skills like speaking up in meetings, active listening, executive presence, collaborative relationships, and empowering teams require the same deliberate and thoughtful approach. By building these habits intentionally, you ensure they are authentic and sustainable, ultimately fostering genuine growth in your professional life.

Make Goal Setting Work for You

Achieving meaningful goals isn’t about working harder—it’s about empowering you to get closer to the life you want to create. By connecting to a compelling “why,” starting small, and embracing experimentation, you can move past the frustration of stalled progress and create lasting habits.

Now it’s your turn.

• What’s one foundational area that could enhance yourself?
• What would be an MVP (minimum viable practice) 
• What experiment do you want to start?

Take the first step today and see how a thoughtful, sustainable approach can transform your goals and overall well-being.

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The feature image is by 巻（Maki）from Pixabay